Detection of Neisseria meningitidis in saliva and oropharyngeal samples from college students

Willem R. Miellet, Rob Mariman, Gerlinde Pluister, Lieke J. de Jong, Ivo Grift, Stijn Wijkstra, Elske M. van Logchem, Janieke van Veldhuizen, Marie Monique Immink, Alienke J. Wijmenga-Monsuur, Nynke Y. Rots, Elisabeth A.M. Sanders, Thijs Bosch, Krzysztof Trzciński*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

24 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis is an accepted endpoint in monitoring meningococcal vaccines effects. We have assessed N. meningitidis and vaccine-type genogroup carriage prevalence in college students at the time of MenACWY vaccine introduction in the Netherlands, and evaluated the feasibility of saliva sampling for the surveillance of carriage. For this, paired saliva and oropharyngeal samples collected from 299 students were cultured for meningococcus. The DNA extracted from all bacterial growth was subjected to qPCRs quantifying meningococcal and genogroup-specific genes presence. Samples negative by culture yet positive for qPCR were cultured again for meningococcus. Altogether 74 (25%) of students were identified as meningococcal carrier by any method. Sixty-one students (20%) were identified as carriers with qPCR. The difference between number of qPCR-positive oropharyngeal (n = 59) and saliva (n = 52) samples was not significant (McNemar’s test, p = 0.07). Meningococci were cultured from 72 students (24%), with a significantly higher (p < 0.001) number of oropharyngeal (n = 70) compared with saliva (n = 54) samples. The prevalence of genogroups A, B, C, W, and Y was none, 9%, 1%, 1% and 6%, respectively, and 8% of students carried MenACWY vaccine-type genogroup meningococci. Saliva is easy to collect and when combined with qPCR detection can be considered for meningococcal carriage studies.

Original languageEnglish
Article number23138
Pages (from-to)1-9
JournalScientific Reports
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Nov 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Detection of Neisseria meningitidis in saliva and oropharyngeal samples from college students'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this